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Airmen share concerns with Stenner during East Coast tour

  • Published
  • By Maj. Shannon Mann
  • 916th Public Affairs Office
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  For the first time since he became the commander of Air Force Reserve Command, Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner made a visit to the Airmen of the 916th Air Refueling Wing.

On Monday, Oct. 3, Stenner, the Air Force Reserve Command's highest ranking officer, spent a little more than four hours visiting the reservists and active duty personnel stationed here.
As part of the general's 'East Coast Tour' starting in early October, he visited a number of Reserve wings along the eastern seaboard to meet Airmen and hear their concerns.

Stenner started the day by having breakfast with a select group of enlisted members from the 916th and 911th Air Refueling Squadron. While the conversation was light overall, some serious questions were asked by those that attended. Topics ranged from the budget to seasoning and development training.

The economy and total force partnerships were also topics of conversation during his visit.

"In an increasingly limited fiscal environment, reservists remain efficient and cost-effective solutions to our nation's challenges," the general said during an interview. "Our Airmen comprise nearly 14 percent of the total Air Force authorized end-strength at only 5.3 percent of the military personnel budget. Yet, we need to reshape our structure because today's reservists are no longer a force held back for only big surges but are used every day as full partners with their active-duty counterparts."

The general went on to attend a mission briefing with wing leadership that highlighted each group and significant 916th programs such as Yellow Ribbon and the Human Resource Development Council. He also discussed issues important to the 567th RED HORSE Squadron and the 414th Fighter Squadron, the newest TFI associate in the command.
The general finished his visit by hosting a town hall meeting for all the Airmen of the 916th Air Refueling Wing. He briefed the crowd about the future of Air Force Reserve Command and opened the floor at the end to questions from the audience.

As a bonus, for one lucky reservist, the general conducted a promotion ceremony in front of the standing-room only crowd. Reservist Steve Stanton, 77th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, received the rank of master sergeant from Stenner. For Stanton having his young son and friends present to mark the event was exciting, having a three-star general tack the rank was monumental.

"Today was by far the highlight of my career for which I am honored," said Stanton. "I'm thankful to my family, friends and the 916th ARW for their continuous support."